Trivia

While serving on the minesweeper YMS - 24 as the XO (executive officer) his ship hit a mine. The captain was killed. John took command and in a effort to save his ship and his men; he had to jump into the sea several times. This took place off the coast of Marseille, France while the ship took part in a deception action in Aug. of 1944. He was awarded the Navy Cross by the U.S. Navy, and the Croix de Guerre by France.

Served with distinction in the US Navy, being awarded the Navy Cross and Croix de Guerre in WWII.

Actor best remembered as the ultimately balmy brother of Ronald Colman in Horizons perdus (1937) and as the wealthy fiance of Katharine Hepburn in Indiscrétions (1940). Accounted well of himself as star of several "Bulldog Drummond" entries of the later 30's.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Horizons perdus (1937) and Indiscrétions (1940).

Grandfather of Noël John Howard.

Father of writer/director Dale Richard Howard.